October 21, Day 16, Traveling Mercies

Words for the day:  “Traveling Mercies”                      Traveling:  on the road to somewhere!                              Mercy:  showing compassion to others

In Barcelona until tomorrow.  Then I put on my traveling 🧳 shoes and rejoin the group at Lleida.  The cough is nearly gone, and I have hopefully 🙏 regained my strength for the walk.

I have been blessed to be able to travel this year!  Who would have believed I’d go on a road trip with my 98 year old dad!  (And 69 year old brother.  Our first stop 🛑 was the Monastery of St. Gertrude’s.

            Here is the church overlooking the prairie!         The clouds and the expansion of the vista truly speak of the glory of the universe, no matter what you believe!

 I have been blessed to have my little “cell” at Eileen’s apartment where I read and meditate.  The room is small, not dissimilar to the cells in convents.  I began going to St Gertrude’s Monastery in Cottonwood, Idaho, when I was 5 and My aunt and Godmother, Sr. Chanelle, recited her final vows.  I still remember her prostrate on the floor in her white habit.  

Here she is in their laundry room with the old washer.

She’s come a long way from those hot black habits!!!!! And she has been an inspiration to me and a true example of humility and grace!

           Nothing like a full moon 🌕 over the prairie.

It’s gotta be a GOD thing!!!!!

   Over the years, I have returned to the monastery numerous times.  I have learned much about Benedictine spirituality. It has been interesting in my minimal knowledge to compare and contrast Benedictine and Ignatius spirituality. St Ignatius did travel to the Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat on his pilgrimage.  We will be there next week!  It is believed he included Benedictine aspects into his own Spiritual Exercises.  The mantra at St. Gertrude’s:

      Prayer awakens, Justice impels, Compassion acts.                             THY                       KINGDOM COME !

How can you not know God is present in such splendor The beautiful Salmon River is just a short distance from the monastery.

One of my favorite books is “Traveling Mercies” by Anne Lamott.  Funny, yet provocative.  I see my current pilgrimage as part of my traveling mercies!

And I know my earlier travels have helped me create a mindset of mercy!

            

They have a museum at St Gertrude’s which marks their history.  Here are Charlie and Dad, The person in purple in the picture is my dear aunt, working in the kitchen canning fruit 🍎.  They continue this ministry today, and sell great jars of homemade jam! Yummy!

I know that my numerous experiences at St Gertrude’s have had a profound impact on my spirituality.  As we travel from church to church on this pilgrimage, I think about the mercies that have been bestowed on us and and the church  by the good works of the nuns.  For me, they represent Jesus’ message of love, humility and grace!

Traveling mercies! Today a short travel around Barcelona.  

A view of the Mediterranean from Montjuic Castle

                               City Hall

             The green parakeets taking a water break,

        Then flying off to THEIR traveling mercies.

       MOM joined me today and was quite colorful.

Orange Butterflies, 🦋 Yellow 🦋, white butterflies.

         The castle overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

I walked 12 km, but hope I can do 24km on Sunday!

But, I am following my mantra:  Let Go and Let God!

 And I’m traveling with mercy!  Jeez Louise!